Gov't vows to push for own labor reform bill

Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan speaks about the government's new independent labor reform bill during a press conference held at the Sejong Government Complex on Friday. / Yonhap

The government will push for an independent labor reform bill following the breakdown of related talks.

Finance Minister Choi Kyung-hwan said Friday in a press conference held in Sejong that the inability of labor and management to find middle ground made it imperative for the government to take the initiative.

Choi said that the government will work with the ruling Saenuri Party starting next week to iron out the bill.

He said the government-Saenuri bill will include measures that will make it easier to dismiss under-performing workers. It also allows companies to change the rules of employment and make it possible to introduce the wage peak system.

The minister also stressed the need for greater cooperation between management and labor, and that unions must put an end to engaging in disruptive walkouts in demand of wage hikes.